The Director may require bid security as a condition of submitting a competitive sealed bid. The Director must determine the amount of bid security. Bid security must be: (a) a bond provided by a surety company authorized and licensed to do business in this State; (b) cash; or (c) other security satisfactory to the County.

Specifications should be prepared to encourage, to the extent practical, maximum competition. Specifications must not be prepared to favor a prospective bidder or offeror. The specifications should describe the minimum valid needs of the County.

A contract must not be awarded to a bidder or offeror that is not responsible. A written determination of nonresponsibility of a bidder or offeror must be made under regulations. The Director may find a bidder or offeror nonresponsible if the bidder or offeror fails to provide in a timely manner information requested by the Director in connection with an inquiry with respect to responsibility.

(a) An invitation for bids, a request for proposals, or other solicitation may be canceled at any time when it is in the best interests of the County. (b) A bid or proposal may be rejected in whole or in part as specified in the solicitation.